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1976 – Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh dies at the age of 59. Murtaugh, who had retired from managing after the 1976 season, had suffered a heart attack three days before his death. Known as “The Irishman,” Murtaugh had led the Pirates to World Championships in 1960 and 1971.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1976 – Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh dies at the age of 59. Murtaugh, who had retired from managing after the 1976 season, had suffered a heart attack three days before his death. Known as “The Irishman,” Murtaugh had led the Pirates to World Championships in 1960 and 1971.

Bob Kennedy is named head of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. His first move is to inform Jim Marshall he is fired as manager and Salty Saltwell, after a year as general manager, is named secretary and director of park operations. Herman Franks, briefly a Cubs coach under Leo Durocher, will be named the new manager. Ironically, Durocher turned down an offer to manage the Cubs for the 1977 season.

ByTom

Bob Kennedy is named head of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs. His first move is to inform Jim Marshall he is fired as manager and Salty Saltwell, after a year as general manager, is named secretary and director of park operations. Herman Franks, briefly a Cubs coach under Leo Durocher, will be named the new manager. Ironically, Durocher turned down an offer to manage the Cubs for the 1977 season.

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Pitcher Larry Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon are traded to St.Louis for catcher Joe Ferguson

ByTom

1976 – Pitcher Larry Dierker and infielder Jerry DaVanon are traded to St.Louis for catcher Joe Ferguson. For Dierker, it’s the beginning of the end of a stellar career. For Ferguson, it means another chance to be a starting catcher instead of an oufielder. He argues with manager Bill Virdon about blocking the plate but hits .243 with 23 homers and 83 RBIs in 1-1/2 seasons before being traded again. 

1976 – The New York Yankees sign free agent pitcher Don Gullett for $2 million. Gullett will have a 14-4 record next season, but spend most of the next three seasons on the disabled list.

ByBaseball

1976 – The New York Yankees sign free agent pitcher Don Gullett for $2 million. Gullett will have a 14-4 record next season, but spend most of the next three seasons on the disabled list.

The Mariners and Blue Jays each select thirty players in the expansion draft. Seattle picks Royals’ outfielder Ruppert Jones, and Toronto selects Orioles’ shortstop Bob Bailor as their team’s respective first picks.

The Mariners and Blue Jays each select thirty players in the expansion draft. Seattle picks Royals’ outfielder Ruppert Jones, and Toronto selects Orioles’ shortstop Bob Bailor as their team’s respective first picks.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mariners and Blue Jays each select thirty players in the expansion draft. Seattle picks Royals’ outfielder Ruppert Jones, and Toronto selects Orioles’ shortstop Bob Bailor as their team’s respective first picks.

Three Future Hall of Famers are featured in The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel.

Three Future Hall of Famers are featured in The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1976 – The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel. Among those available are Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Joe Rudi, Don Gullett, Gene Tenace, Nate Colbert, Rollie Fingers, Don Baylor and Bobby Grich. McCovey and Colbert are the only two players not selected, but McCovey will catch on with the Giants in spring training and have a banner year at his old first base position.

JR Richards
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Amazingly, it takes 15 years for Houston to garner a vote in the Cy Young Award balloting. The vote goes to J.R. Richard, who has a 20-win season, but he is well behind San Diego’s Randy Jones in the returns. 

ByTom

1976 – Amazingly, it takes 15 years for Houston to garner a vote in the Cy Young Award balloting. The vote goes to J.R. Richard, who has a 20-win season, but he is well behind San Diego’s Randy Jones in the returns. 

The Boston Globe uses aerial photography to measure the exact distance of the left field wall at Fenway Park from home plate. The distance: 304.779 feet. Art Keefe and writer George Sullivan measured it this month at 309 feet, four inches.

ByBaseball

The Boston Globe uses aerial photography to measure the exact distance of the left field wall at Fenway Park from home plate. The distance: 304.779 feet. Art Keefe and writer George Sullivan measured it this month at 309 feet, four inches.

1976 – The Cincinnati Reds score seven times in the final three innings to secure a 7 – 6 win and complete a sweep of the Phillies in the National League Championship Series.

ByBaseball

1976 – The Cincinnati Reds score seven times in the final three innings to secure a 7 – 6 win and complete a sweep of the Phillies in the National League Championship Series.

In his final start of the season, rookie right-hander Mark Fidrych earns his 19th victory, beating Milwaukee at County Stadium, 5-1. The five-hit complete game takes only one hour and 46 minutes to play.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In his final start of the season, rookie right-hander Mark Fidrych earns his 19th victory, beating Milwaukee at County Stadium, 5-1. The five-hit complete game takes only one hour and 46 minutes to play.